Names are planted in history

IT is interesting to note that in a bid to encourage the younger generation to learn more about Malaysia’s heritage, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia initiated a project called Digitization of Geo-Historical Toponomy of Heritage Places in Malaysia led by UKM centre for corporate communication director Prof. Datin Dr Norizan Abdul Razak, “What’s in a town’s name?” (Sunday Star, Aug 23).

Most of us may not realise that many of our villages, towns, states, rivers, hills and mountains are named after plants and that there may be a significant story behind the naming of places after a particular plant species.